Press Releases

Pompeo Names Leadership Team

WICHITA – Fourth District Congressman-elect Mike Pompeo (R-Wichita) today announced his leadership team as he prepares to take office in January. Pompeo has named former Wichitan Mark Chenoweth to the positionof Chief of Staff, Augusta native Chuck Knapp will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff and Jim Richardson will direct Pompeo’s legislative efforts as Legislative Director.

“I am excited with the leadership team we have assembled,” said Pompeo. “In addition to the diverse talent and experience they possess, Mark, Chuck and Jim know Kansas and understand the unique needs of the Fourth Congressional District.”

Chenoweth, who grew up in Olathe before doing his undergraduate work at Yale University and earning his law degree from the University of Chicago School of Law, is currently legal counsel to Commissioner Anne Northup at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. He has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice under President George W. Bush and has extensive experience in legal reform and promoting free market principles, including a long stint with Koch Industries in Wichita. Chenoweth will be responsible for all aspects of Pompeo’s efforts in Congress and will work out of the Congressman’s Washington office.

“Mark has spent several years of his life working to reduce government intrusion, expansion and over-regulation,” said Pompeo. “He brings real-world, private sector experience to Capitol Hill that will prove invaluable as we try to change the way government operates.”

In addition to directing Pompeo’s Kansas office, Knapp will work with Chenoweth and Richardson on policy, communication and political issues. Like Chenoweth, Knapp has experience in the private sector as well as at the state and federal levels of government. The University of Kansas graduate has served in the past as Communications Director and most recently as Senior Advisor to Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Goddard).

“Chuck knows the 4th District of Kansas very well because he was born and raised here,” said Pompeo. “He is uniquely qualified for this position, and I am excited he is part of our leadership team.”

Richardson, the son of an Air Force officer, is a graduate of Evangel University and holds a Masters in National Security from Missouri State University. A 10-year veteran of Capitol Hill, having worked in the U.S. House and Senate, including the offices of U.S. Senators Kit Bond and John Ashcroft (R-Missouri), Tiahrt and former Congressman Jim Ryun (R-Lawrence), Richardson is a familiar face in military and aviation industry circles in Kansas and Washington. As Pompeo’s Legislative Director, Richardson will direct the legislative staff in Washington and help set and track Pompeo’s legislative agenda, including his committee work.

“Jim is well-known and respected at Kansas military installations and the Pentagon. He has worked closely with aviation leaders in south central Kansas and understands both the military and commercial sides of the industry. Jim’s familiarity with the air refueling tanker program will be instrumental in our fight to ensure we have an American tanker built by American workers, and his vast knowledge of the legislative process will be helpful in forwarding our agenda of reduced government, lower taxes and increased private sector opportunity,” Pompeo concluded.

Pompeo’s staff will assume their roles January 3, 2011, when the 112thCongress officially begins. Pompeo and members of the new Congress will be ceremonially sworn-in two days later on January 5, 2011.

“Mike is an intelligent, hard-working Kansan who understands business issues critical to economic growth in the 4th District. His knowledge of the relationship between the private sector, limited government and fiscal responsibility — as well as his military service to our country — makes him a well-defined candidate who will bring conservative Kansas values and leadership to Washington.”